310 BRITISH BIRDS. 



other near allies, all of which appear to be separable by well-marked 

 characters. 



We have few more interesting birds in this country than the Nightjar. 

 Like the Swift, it is one of the latest migrants to arrive, and one of 

 the earliest to depart, seldom appearing in our islands before the middle 

 of May, and leaving in September. It is seen in Malta as early as the 

 end of March or the beginning of April ; but Irby says that at Gibraltar 

 the earliest record of its arrival is the 5th of May; and Kriiper states 

 that it arrives in Greece and Asia Minor during the last week of April. 

 It has also been met with in this country as early in the year as the 

 third week in February and the second week in April ; but these, as 

 well as its occurrence as late as November, must be regarded as very 

 exceptional cases. 



The Nightjar has been called the Fern-Owl, and is almost as closely 

 associated with bracken as the Red Grouse is with heather. It haunts 

 moors and extensive heaths, the outskirts of forests on the open places 

 where the brambles strive with the bracken as to which shall occupy the 

 most space : in such places it is fond of frequenting the driest and stoniest 

 spots. It is often flushed in open places in the forest, and loves the shelter 

 of a pine-wood on the borderland of the moors. It is strictly a night 

 bird, and is never seen in the daytime on the wing unless disturbed ; for it 

 roosts during the day, like most of the Owls, and only comes out at night 

 in search of food, when its singular note may be heard at all hours 

 between sunset and sunrise. When flushed it dashes off in a bewildered 

 manner, and often seeks refuge in the nearest large tree, where, alight- 

 ing on one of the broad branches, it squats close down, perching along the 

 branch, not across it ; at other times it chooses a sheltered spot on the 

 ground, where it can sleep, undisturbed by the wind or the sunshine, until 

 dusk. 



The habits of the Nightjar are perhaps more easily studied than those 

 of any other of our nocturnal birds. It is astir early in the evening ; the 

 sun has scarcely set before its singular note is heard in different parts 

 of its haunts; and as the dusk increases the bird comes out to the 

 open heath, and begins to beat about in a very Hawk-like manner for its 

 meal. It is not a gregarious bird, but in districts where it is common 

 half a dozen may often be seen on the wing at once. It is said to 

 migrate in pairs or in small parties, never in large flocks. 



Dixon, describing its habits near London, says : " Few things are more 

 pleasant in the refreshing cool of a July evening than to stroll into the 

 Nightjar's haunt and watch the aerial gambols of this sombre yet hand- 

 some little bird of night. It is very common on the miniature moor 

 known as Shirley Heath, some three miles south-east of Croydon, and also 

 on Wimbledon Common. In either of these places you may be sure of 



